Familiarization with Ice Skating

Forward skating/walking: Push off with the entire skate, not just the toe picks. Keep your body upright over the skates and bend your knees well.

Assisted exercise: In pairs: one pushes the other, who steers the direction.

Backward skating/walking: Same principle as forward, but the skates are angled the opposite way.

Assisted exercise: In pairs: one skates forward, supporting and helping the one practicing backward skating.

Swizzles (pretzels) forward and backward

• Forward: Heels together and toes pointing outwards. Push off and bend your knees as your knees move apart. Straighten your knees as you bring your feet back together.

• Backward: Like forward, but start with toes together.

Slalom forward and backward: Gain a little speed to glide on your skates. Keep your feet together the whole time, and bend and straighten your knees rhythmically. Feel free to use cones, mittens, etc., as gates/markers.

Squatting/Crouching: Feet together, seat low, weight well forward. When you have some speed and are gliding on your skates, squat down well and find your balance. Then you can stretch one leg forward. Remember: weight well forward!

Snowplow stop: Bring the skate tips towards each other like a snowplow, while bending your knees.

Skid stop: Turn the skates sideways so they point across the direction of travel, feet parallel, and bend your knees well. Tip: Use cones or similar as markers for where participants should stop.

Crossovers forward: Push off with the entire skate on both feet. Clearly cross the outer leg over the inner one, then place the other leg down beside it. Continue to cross the outer leg over in front, rhythmically and smoothly.

Crossovers backward: Cross the outer leg in front, and place the inner leg down beside it - repeat the movement. Remember! Body well over the skates.

Assisted exercise: Stand side by side on a line and hold onto each other. Move one leg across in front of the other - practice both ways.